A familiar face hovered about a foot above the circled group of Tennessee football players Thursday.

Former UT All-American Peyton Manning made a postpractice appearance to give the No. 23-ranked Vols a pep talk.

The Indianapolis Colts’ All-Pro quarterback is in Knoxville to take part in the retiring of his No. 16 at the South Carolina game Saturday night (TV: ESPN2, 7:45 p.m.).

"We’re excited about having Peyton here this weekend," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We asked him to speak to the team, and he talked about how tough times don’t last ? but tough people do.

"When you’re at Tennessee you’re going to have a target on your chest and everybody’s thrilled to get after you when they can, and they have to rise to the occasion. He did a good job with them."

Fulmer said Manning would walk down another memory lane and take part in the Vol Walk prior to the game.

As usual, Manning is also doing his share of film study during his stay in Knoxville.

"If he’s going to be around, he’s going to be watching football," Fulmer said. "That’s what he did all afternoon here.

"I told he and (former UT offensive coordinator David) Cutcliffe I wanted some good notes."

If time allowed it, Fulmer said Manning might even sit down with UT quarterbacks Rick Clausen and Erik Ainge to review some film.

Manning’s after-practice talk to the team was interrupted a couple of times by applause from the players.

He may be an NFL superstar now, but Fulmer still looks at Manning as the same player who guided Tennessee to success in the mid-1990s.

"To me, he’s still Peyton and he always will be," Fulmer said. "I respect all he has accomplished as a player and as a person. He’s very civic minded and does a lot of things for people around the country.

"He’s a Tennessee Volunteer through and through. He pulls for us every week and he’s a great friend."

Manning went through his share of tough times at UT, as a freshman thrown into the starting role in 1994, to limited success in big games against Florida.

"He understands athletics as well as anyone," Fulmer said. "He knows it’s not always going to be perfect.

"I think the kids really respect him. He comes back every summer and works with our guys in the offseason. He’s an important part of our heritage and it’s great to honoring him by retiring his number."

Coker Availability: Running backs coach Trooper Taylor hinted on Wednesday that freshman running back LaMarcus Coker would likely see playing time against South Carolina.

On Thursday, Fulmer backed off on that statement a little.

"We have to prepare like he might play, and he has to prepare like he might play," Fulmer said. "If we had another injury of any sort, obviously he would be pushed into the rotation.

"Rather than wait around and have something happen you’re not ready for, I’d much rather be prepared for it."

Arian Foster will be the starter at tailback after Gerald Riggs’ suffered a season-ending leg injury last week against Alabama.

Walk-on David Yancey is expected to fill the back-up role along with Ja’Kouri Williams.

"We’re not going to put him (Coker) in the game to waste a year (of eligibility)," Fulmer said. "But we’re going to be prepared if we have an emergency."

Physical ability isn’t a problem for the Antioch native.

"The main thing for LaMarcus is not his physical skills, it’s mental maturity and approaching the game with a mental toughness," Fulmer said. "I think he’s going to be a good player for us."

Hardesty Surgery: UT freshman tailback Montario Hardesty underwent knee surgery to reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Dr. Patrick Connor performed the surgery at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. Hardesty was expected to return to Knoxville today.

"Montario is expected to be back in time for the 2006 preseason," UT head athletic trainer Keith Clements said.

Hardesty was injured Oct. 1 against Mississippi.

Tickets Available: There are still South Carolina game tickets on sale for $45 each at the UT ticket office. The ticket office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Fans also can call 656-1200 or 800-332-8657 or visit utsports.com to order tickets.

The ticket window at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium opens at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Memphis Blues: UT athletic director Mike Hamilton confirmed Tennessee’s homecoming game versus Memphis on Nov. 12 would be a pay-per-view broadcast.